Council reviews rezoning of Rossview Road parcel for retail and childcare; staff and planning commission recommended approval

City planning staff on May 29 presented a rezoning request to change a 4.41-acre parcel on Rossview Road from R-1 single-family residential to C-2 General Commercial to allow a retail center and a childcare facility; city staff and the Regional Planning Commission recommended approval of the change.

The rezoning matters because the parcel fronts Rossview Road near the Rossview school complex and could be developed for commercial uses that include retail and, because C-2 allows mixed uses, multifamily housing. Supporters said the site could provide retail services and child care close to nearby neighborhoods; school officials had asked about traffic and access.

Planning staff presented aerial maps, the future land use designation (mixed residential neighborhood), and department comments including an approved traffic assessment and school system input. The staff report said the request aligns with the adopted Clarksville‑Montgomery County comprehensive plan and noted the applicant provided building elevations showing a strip retail center with a childcare facility located behind the retail frontage. Planning staff said both the planning commission and staff recommended approval.

Council members debated the potential for multifamily development under C-2. Councilman McLaughlin said, “Multi family is allowed under C 2. There's no such thing as conditional zoning. We can't tie them to not put multi family here,” warning that zoning classifications cannot legally be restricted later by condition. Councilman Shekinah voiced support for the application: “I just like to let you all know I support this. I spoke with a representative for this particular project, a couple of times. I've been out to that site, physically looked at it.” Councilman Peters and others asked about access and whether the school campus would permit any on-site connections; planning staff said such connections would need separate agreements and that the Tennessee Department of Transportation would control access to state roads.

Planning staff noted a historical estimate that the site could yield up to about 52 multifamily units if developed as multifamily, but the applicant's agent stated there were no plans for apartments. School officials’ comments and traffic impacts were recorded in the staff packet and will be part of later review if a site plan is submitted.

The rezoning remained under consideration; the planning report and public comments will be part of the council record as members continue deliberations.